Abstract
1. Sodium succinate and its hydroxy derivatives are cardiac depressants, but weak solutions of some of the isomers of the salts of tartaric acid may produce stimulation.
2. The toxicity of the derivatives of succinate increases with the entrance of hydroxyl groups.
3. Stimulating after effects were observed in experiments with tartrates.
4. In experiments with repeated perfusions the depressing effects observed at first gradually diminished and stimulation was finally observed.
5. The evidence obtained in this investigation contradicts the calcium precipitation theory advanced in explanation of the mode of action of tartrates and other organic salts whose calcium compounds are soluble with difficulty.
The point of action of the salts is probably nervous in origin and not muscular.
7. Simultaneous stimnlation of inhibitory and motor mechanisms is suggested to explain the different and opposite effects produced by some of the compounds.
8. The sodium salt of levo-tartaric acid was the most active of all the isomers of tartaric acid.
Footnotes
- Received May 25, 1917.
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